Fastening means



C. F. HEPLER FASTENING MEANS April 2, 1929.

Filed Oct. 5, 1928 Inventor I C FHepZer By 2 :4tt0 rng' Patented Apr. 2,1929.

UNITED STATES CABMON I. HEPLER, OF SENECA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FASTENING rims.

Application filed October 8, 1928. Serial 110. 809,974.

This invention relates to an improved metal rail tie, and novel meansfor fastening the rail thereto.

In carrying out the invention, I propose to provide a metal tie in theform of an I beam and to utilize a pairef duplicate fastening devicesfor the rails which are slidabl mounted on the top flange of the tie,each device being especially designed to accomplish the desired resultin a practical and eflicient-manner.

The particular details of the devices and as well as their specificcooperation with the tie will become more readily apparent from thefollowing drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a rail tie constructed inaccordance with the invention, showing the improved fastening deviceattached thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section through the tie,.takenapproximately upon the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exag erated cross sectional view through the rai takenapproximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a longitudinal section through the major part of one of theimproved fastening devices.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a complemental clamping plate, and

Fig. 6 is an e evational view ofone of the retaining bolts.

In the drawings,-the rail is designated by thereference character 7, thetie is indicated at 8, and the fastening means is indicated as composedof a slidab part 9 and a clamping part or plate 10.

As before stated, the tie 8 is in the form of a metal I-beam ofappropriate proportions, it being understood that this is to take theplace of the customary wooden, concrete and other forms of metallicties. The clamping device at each end is the same in construction, and

5 a description of one will suflice for both. As alread indicated, theprincipal part is that part esignated generally, by the referencenumeral 9. It embodies a plate which rests slidably upon the top of theupper flange of the tie.

This plate tral portion having a flat surface 11 forming a seat forreception of the base flange of the rail. At the opposite ends of thisflat part, we find upstanding transversely extendmg ribs functioning asabutments 12. These includes a relatively thick cen-.

prevent shifting of the rail on the plate. Be-

yond the abutments are downwardly inclined and tapered end extensions13, which bear in 5 yieldable manner upon the top flange of the On theopposite longitudinal sides of the device are hooked members, each ofwhich Includes a curved web portion 14 joined integrally with the plate,and also a com lemental bottom plate 15, and the bottom p ate has araised central fulcrum 16 and the endportions thereof cooperate with theend extensions 13 of the top plate in providing a desirable resilientclamping action.

Obviously, bolts extend up through the tapered end portions of thebottom plates and through registering openin s in the top plates,whereby to fasten the evice in the top flange of the tie and to afford adesirable cushion-like action for the rails.

It will be noted that the abutments 12 prevent the base flange of therail from coming' into enga ement with the threaded shank portion 0 Ithe bolt. Also, the bolts are located at the opposite ends of theseabutments. 1

Moreover, the shank portion of the bolt is square in cross section, andsmooth flS'deS: ignated at 17 in Fi 6. The bolt also inc udes a screwthrea ed portion 18 to accommodate the retaining nut 19.

The threaded ends and retaining nuts cooperate with the clamping plates10. There are two of these plates, one on each side of the rail. Theplate portion 20 overlies the base flange of the rail and this isprovided with holes 21 for passage of the retaining bolts. It also hasextensions 22 at the o 0- site ends whichare bent u as shown in ig. 2,to prevent accidental displacement'of the nut. The bending action isproduced through the medium of a sledge hammer or therlike, after thenuts are applied.

The plate 10 also includes a rolled or curved edge portion 23 whichrests upon'the abutment as shown in Fig. 2. This rovides a furtherresilient feature in the c amping action. It is noted that in order toplace the fastenin device in position for securing the rail to t e tiethe device must be slipped over the end of the to flange and moved in-Wardly until it reaclies the roper point. Then the rail is seated on theEat portion of the part 9 between the abutments 12 as explained,whereupon the bolts are passed upwardly through the alined holes in theparts 9 and 10 and as well as through the opention is of a resilientnature, et sturdy and dependable. It is thought t at the advantages,construction and features of this sort of construction, will be quiteclear to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates.Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and arrange ment of parts coming withinthe field of intudinal hooked portion vention claimed, may be resortedto in actual practice if desired.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as ne is 1. In a raifastening and clamping-device of the class described, comprising a platehaving a flat central portion with upstanding abutments and downwardlytapered and inclined end extensions, together with a longior engaging arail tie.

2. In a rail fastening and clamping device of the class described,comprising a plate having a flat central portion with upstandingabutments and downwardly tapered and inclined end extensions, alongitudinal hooked portion for enga mg a rail tie, and a pair ofclamping plates aving rolled edge portions engageable wit-h saidabutments.

3. A rail fastening device of the class described comprising, a multiplepart structure wherein one of said parts comprises a rail base latehaving a relatively thick central portion with a flat seat at the endsof which are upstanding abutments, and beyond which are downwardlyinclined and tapered extensions, and a pair of lower plate portionsjoined to the longitudinal edges of the rail base plate by curved webs,said lower plate portions having'centrally disposed fulcrums.

4. As a new product of manufacture, a rail fastening device embodying apair of rail clamping plates each havin bolt holes and bendableextensions ada te to function as nut retainers, each plate being formedalong one edge with a longitudinal resilient rolled portion. y

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' CARMON F. HEPLER.

